ROSS NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 January 1935, Page 2

ROSS NEWS

His Royal Highness, the Duke of Gloucester spent some little at Ross on Tuesday on his way to visit the Southern Oiaciei's. The ißoyal train arrived at the Ross station punctually to time, 11.50. His Highness being imet at the station by the Mayor and Town Clerk. The party then proceeded by cars to the township (one mile distant). In front of the Coronation Hall a risen platform had been erected which was carpeted and nicely decorated with greenery.

The large assemblage at this point included •Returned Soldiers, Scouts and

school children each lined up under the leaders.

| .His Royal Highness received a great ovation on arrival and while the Mayor was escorting him to the platform the ißoss Band (under Bandmaster A. A?-

new) played the first six bai's of the National Anthem. After an introduction to the local members on the platform, the Mayor rend the following address. “To His Royal Highness the Duke of ’Gloucester. May is please your Royal Highness. We, the M'-’yor, Councillors and Citizens of the Borough of Ross desire to extend to you a most hearty welcome to our district.

We wish to asm’e you of our deep loyalty to your fother, His Majesty the King, proof of which wp believe will be found in the claim we make, that in the great war this district sent to the front, in proportion to its population as many men as any other part of New Zealand.

AVe are conscious of the high honour your Royal Highness is doing this small Borough in finding time to make this visit, in the .midst Of what must be a busy tour, ,ancl take it, not so much as a compliment to ourselves, but as another example of that readiness the R-oyal Family -also shows, to take an interest in the welfare of all sections of the community be they great or email.

It may he of interest to your Hoy a] Highnes to note that the Largest nugget of gold yet found in Now Zealand the “Roddy” and now hold by your father, was found in the hills surrounding this Borough, which in the early day s of the West- Coast was the scene of much feverished activity in the search and production of gold.

We sincerely hope that your Roya 1 ’ Highness’s visit to South Westland, enriched as it is with great stretches of native bush, its lakes, snow-capped mountains, glaciers and river’s, will be thoroughly enjoyable and that your whole stay among the people of New Zealand will be deeply interesting, strengthening alike as to the bond? which bind the Empire to the Royal Family, and its Dominions o-.ie to another.

On behalf «of the inhabitants of Ross we- beg to subscribe ourselves.

H. Osmei’s, (Mayor). A. W. Peebles, (Town Clerk). His Royal -Highness read the following reply :• — "His Worship the Mayor of Ross. — Air Mayor,—l welcome the sentiments of deep loyalty to the King, mv father, which you give on behalf of the citizens of Ross, and 1 am gPd to hear your record of war services j-onderd by the .men of this district.

It is a proof of the fact that feel ings iof devotion to the Empire are. at strong in the people living m the nr'Ast distant, parts as those at tiie centre .

I sum most grateful for the Wesi -Coast welcome, which you have given me to-day, and T assure von tint I am pleased to visit you in your beautifif surroundings.

I sincerely hope that go hi production will continue to be of value to this district and that its people will enjoy -a future i o f increasing prosperity.” 'At the conclusion of the- reply, three

| rousing cheers were given (by the assemblage. ! The Duke was then introduced to various citizens, be inspected the Returned Soldiers having a chat wife many of them, 'and a'lso met the school children and the scouts.

The Duke, and party after u stay of half an hour entered their ca's, the band playing the National Anthem in which the crowd hcadti'y joined m singing. The Duke took the wheel hunsed from .Ross for the Southern run.

The archway erected m. Afoorhouse Street looked rather imposing being massively de.VN'atol wiha evjigre‘.i-> with a large sign stretched ac lJ sS bearing the wo'-ds “Welcome to R' lSs -